Biology

Physiology

Chimchar are based on chimpanzees. Being very agile, Chimchar are able to climb the rocky ledges of tall mountains, where they live. The flames on their rears are produced by burning gas in their stomachs. Chimchar also has a swirl-like symbol on the chest. The flames do not go out in the rain, and, unlike the tail flames of Charmander, those of Chimchar go out when they go to sleep. Despite being based on chimpanzees, Chimchar's "cry" is actually much more similar to that of a spider monkey.

Gender differences

Special abilities

Behavior

Habitat

Chimchar are very rare and only make their nests in cliffsides and rocky mountains. If they were to live in jungles like normal primates, there would be forest fires daily.

Diet

In the anime

Chimchar first appeared in Following a Maiden Voyage. The little fire-monkey was teasing a Piplup after stealing food from it. Piplup then started firing a Bubble attack, but Chimchar kept jumping out of the way. Staraptor was hit in Piplup's line of fire and created a Whirlwind that wrecked everything in Professor Rowan's lab. Chimchar jumped out of a broken window with Piplup chasing after it.

Evolution

Trivia

Chimchar is the only starter Pokémon out of the twelve so far that has not belonged to Ash or one of his friends. Though many fans believed that Brock was to obtain Chimchar due to a magazine scan that showed it standing next to him while Turtwig and Piplup stood next to Ash and Dawn, respectively. It was then later found that Chimchar would belong to Ash's rival, Paul.

Origin

Chimchar appears to be based on a young monkey, although the firey tail mirrors Charmander. The root "char" is also shared between the two.(Also in Japanese: Hikoszaru(Chimchar), Hitokage(Charmander))

Name origin

Hikozaru's name is derived from 火 hi, or fire, 子 ko, or child, and 猿 saru, or monkey. Zaru is used to describe an ape. Chimchar comes from chimp and char.